James F. Howard Jr MD, FAAN

Dr. James F. Howard Jr., MD, FAAN, is a distinguished neurologist and academic leader specializing in neuromuscular disorders. He is Professor of Neurology, Medicine, and Allied Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he also directs the Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Trials and Translational Research Program.

Dr. Howard’s clinical and research work focuses on disorders of neuromuscular transmission, particularly Myasthenia Gravis. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in this field, contributing to the development of novel therapies—including complement inhibitors, FcRn blockers, and emerging immunotherapies—and helping advance multiple FDA-approved treatments for the disease.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Howard has held key leadership roles at UNC, including serving as Chief of the Neuromuscular Disorders Section and holding the James F. Howard Distinguished Professorship in Neuromuscular Disease. He has also been an adjunct professor of clinical sciences (neurology) at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Howard earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Vermont and completed his residency training in internal medicine and neurology at institutions including the University of Virginia. He joined the UNC faculty in 1979 and has since built an internationally recognized career in academic neurology.